Sports Briefs: After turnaround, WHS football players make Dream Team

DOWNEY – The Warren High School boys’ soccer team competed in the SoCal High School Classic. The Bears defeated Torrey Pines 3-0 on Dec. 27 and played Kofa of Yuma, Ariz., on Dec. 30 (score unavailable at press time). Warren will host Santa Ana Valley on Jan. 7 and Katella on Jan. 9 before hosting Gahr in their S.G.V.L. opener on Jan. 13.

Warren will travel to cross-town rival Downey on Jan. 15.

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The Warren High School girls’ soccer team competed in the Best in the West Tournament held on Dec. 22 where they went 1-1. The Lady Bears were defeated by Estancia, 1-0, and Paramount, 4-1.

The Lady Bears competed in the North Orange Country Classic Tournament where they had games scheduled against Rio Mesa and Sunny Hills (scores unavailable at press time). The Lady Bears will host Ocean View on Jan. 8 before traveling to Gahr for their S.G.V.L. opener on Jan. 13.

Warren will host cross-town rival Downey on Jan. 15.

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The Warren High School boys’ basketball team competed in the Whittier 5th Annual Holiday Invitational Dec. 26-30. The Bears were defeated by Centennial, 58-53, on the day after Christmas (other scores not available at press time).

Warren has a game scheduled at Schurr on Jan. 2 before they travel to Gahr on Jan. 14 for their S.G.V.L. opener. Warren will travel to cross-town rival Downey on Jan. 16.

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The Warren High School girls’ basketball team competed in the Larry Doyle Tournament Dec. 26-30.

Warren was defeated by Redondo Union on Dec. 26 and had games scheduled against Torrance, Canyon and Cypress (scores unavailable).

The Lady Bears will host El Rancho on Jan. 9 before they travel to Gahr on Jan. 14 for their S.G.V.L. opener.

Warren travels to cross-town rival Downey on Jan. 16.

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The Long Beach Press-Telegram released their 2014 Dream Team selections for prep football last Thursday and two Warren Bears were given recognition for their efforts.

Bear junior linebacker Steven Zepeda and senior defensive back Eric Rodriguez were both given Honorable Mention recognition for the efforts on the field in leading an improved Warren defense.

San Gabriel Valley League Offensive Dream Team honorees included Dominguez’s senior running back Keith Hairston and Lynwood wide receivers senior Rasheed Cox and senior Donte Spotville. All three players received Honorable Mention recognition for their performances.

San Gabriel Valley League Defensive Dream Team honorees included Paramount’s senior defensive lineman Joseph Williams, Dominguez’s senior linebacker Grady Niupulusu and senior defensive back Josh Ford. All three players received Second Team Recognition for their efforts.

Dominguez senior defensive lineman Siupeli Finau, Dominguez junior defensive back Marquel Dismuke and Paramount sophomore defensive back Jeron Parker were all given Honorable Mention recognition for their performances.

Warren finished the 2014 football season with an overall record of 5-5 and a S.G.V.L. record of 2-3. The Bears narrowly missed qualifying for the Southeast Division playoffs by losing to Paramount at Paramount, 42-34, in the last game of the season.

First year head coach Raul Lara and his staff have the Bears heading in the right direction.

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Several Downey Vikings also were named to the Press-Telegram Dream Team.

Downey junior running back Daevon Vigilant was selected as the “Newcomer of the Year.” Vigilant rushed for 1,873 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season. For his efforts, Daevon was given All-C.I.F. recognition and the San Gabriel Valley League’s Offensive MVP award.

Viking senior running back Justin Huff was selected to the Second Team for his efforts and senior offensive lineman Geo Deloera was given Honorable Mention for excelling in the trenches.

Downey senior defensive end Chris Blanton was selected to the First Team. Blanton led the state in sacks with 25.5, forced seven fumbles, recovered five fumbles and returned two for scores. Chris led the Viking defense with 118 tackles and 46 tackles for loss.

Viking junior linebacker Darrian Franklin was also selected to the First Team. Franklin finished the season with 88 tackles and eight sacks. Franklin is a consensus four-star recruit in the class of 2016 and will certainly lead the Viking defense next season. Franklin already has scholarship offers from UCLA, USC, Miami and Michigan.

Senior defensive back Jason Thomas was selected to the Second Team. Senior defensive lineman Manny Ramirez was given Honorable Mention recognition for his efforts as was junior linebacker Cameron Carr.

Downey finished their season with an overall record of 10-4 and were San Gabriel Valley League champions with a record of 5-0. The Vikings were C.I.F. Southeast Division finalists after losing to Crescenta Valley 21-14.

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The Downey High School boys’ basketball team currently has an overall record of 9-4 after going 2-2 in the Westminster Charlie Wilkens Memorial Tournament held Dec. 16-20.

Downey was defeated by Corona del Mar, 61-56, on Dec. 16, defeated Hawthorne, 90-68, the next day, was defeated by Vista, 62-45, on Dec. 19 and beat Westminster, 69-56, on Dec. 20.

Downey also competed in the MaxPreps Holiday Classic Tournament held Dec. 26-29. The Vikings went 2-1 in this tournament.

Downey was defeated by Foss, 66-60, on Dec. 26, beat La Quinta, 59-45, on Dec. 27 and got past Dana Hills, 61-52, on Dec. 29.

Downey will play Cerritos at Staples Center on Jan. 5 and then travel to Cal High on Jan. 7 before they begin S.G.V.L. play on Jan. 14 at Lynwood. The Vikings will host cross-town rival Warren on Jan. 16.

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The Downey High School girls’ basketball team currently has an overall record of 8-4.

The Lady Vikings competed in the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic  Dec. 26-30. Downey was defeated by West Hills, 50-37, but bounced back to beat Sonora, 46-38.

The Lady Vikings will play Whittier at Staples Center on Jan. 7 and then host Mayfair on Jan. 8 before traveling to Lynwood for the start of S.G.V.L. play on Jan. 14. The Lady Vikings will host cross-town rival Warren on Jan. 16.

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The Downey High School boys’ soccer team currently has an overall record of 6-3-1.

Downey defeated Long Beach Jordan, 3-0, on Dec. 18 but fell to Carlsbad, 3-0, at the So Cal High School Classic in Carlsbad on Dec. 29.

Downey will travel to Bell Gardens on Jan. 6 and will host El Rancho on Jan. 7 before traveling to Lynwood on Jan. 13 for their S.G.V.L. opener.

Downey will host cross-town rival Warren on Jan. 15.

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Published: Jan. 1, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 38